album
album
Pronunciation
album: /ˈælbəm/
al-: /æl/
-bum: /bəm/
Word Form Variations
Singular: album
Plural: albums
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A collection of musical recordings, typically released together as a single unit on a compact disc, vinyl record, or as a digital download, often featuring a specific artist or theme.
Synonyms: record, CD, LP, collection, compilation
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "single" or "track" refer to a smaller unit within an album, rather than an opposite.)
Definition 2: A book with blank pages for the purpose of collecting and preserving items such as photographs, stamps, or autographs.
Synonyms: scrapbook, collection book, portfolio, book
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "loose papers" or "unorganized items" represent the absence of an album's function.)
Definition 3: (Informal) A significant or memorable event or period, often referring to a collection of experiences.
Synonyms: period, chapter, phase, era, episode
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; "moment" or "instant" could refer to a much shorter, less significant duration.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"His hands traced the worn cover of the photo album, each picture a vivid echo of a past he cherished." (From an unnamed fictional novel)
"The stamp collector meticulously organized his rare acquisitions in a series of custom-bound albums." (From a non-fiction book about hobbies)
Newspapers:
"Pop sensation Ariana Grande announced today that her highly anticipated new album, 'Eternal Sunshine,' will be released next month." ("The New York Times," Entertainment Section)
"A rare collection of Civil War-era photographs, preserved in a leather-bound album, recently sold for a record price at auction." ("The Wall Street Journal," Arts & Culture)
Online Publications:
"Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' broke streaming records, becoming the most-streamed album in a single day on Spotify." (Pitchfork.com)
"Tips for creating a digital photo album to share with family and friends." (Lifehacker.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music Streaming (Spotify/Apple Music): When Browse an artist's page, you'll see a section titled "Discography" listing all their released albums.
Film (Documentary): In a documentary about a famous musician, a narrator might state, "His groundbreaking album changed the face of rock and roll forever."
Television (Music Awards Show): An award category might be "Album of the Year," with the presenter announcing, "And the award for Album of the Year goes to..."
Video Games: Sometimes, in games with extensive lore or collectibles, players might "unlock" concept art or character designs that are then viewable in an in-game "art album."
Social Media (Instagram/Facebook): Users often create "photo albums" to group related pictures from a trip or event. For example, "Check out my album from our vacation in Italy!"
General Public Discourse:
"Did you hear the new Beyoncé album? It's incredible!" (Casual conversation between friends)
"I spent all weekend going through old family photo albums." (Family discussion)
"My favorite band is releasing a new album soon, and I can't wait to hear it." (Enthusiastic fan discussing music)
"Remember that time we were trying to complete our sticker album? Those were the days." (Nostalgic conversation about childhood)
10 Famous Quotes Using Album
"An album is a story told through sound — each track a chapter, each lyric a page." — Beyoncé (paraphrased from multiple interviews)
"I see an album as a snapshot of where I am in my life — emotionally, creatively, and spiritually." — Taylor Swift
"The album is dead. Long live the album." — Questlove (commenting on the changing music industry)
"Each album I make is like a diary entry — personal, messy, and honest." — Adele
"You don’t make an album just to have songs; you make it to say something." — Kendrick Lamar
"An album is a piece of your soul pressed into plastic." — Bruce Springsteen
"Releasing an album is like sending your kid to school for the first time — it’s out there now, and you just hope people are kind to it." — Billie Eilish
"A great album doesn’t just sound good — it lives in your head and heart long after the music stops." — Lin-Manuel Miranda
"The best albums are the ones you can live in — they create a world." — Frank Ocean (inferred from interview commentary)
"An album isn’t just music. It’s a statement. It’s who you are in a moment you’ll never get back." — Prince (widely quoted in variations)
Etymology
The word "album" has a pretty interesting journey through time!
It comes from the Latin word "album," which literally means "white." In ancient Rome, an "album" was a white board or tablet (often chalked or painted white) where public notices, decrees, or lists of names were written in black. Think of it like a public bulletin board or a kind of official register.
So, the first known use and meaning of "album" was essentially a blank, white surface used for public inscriptions or lists.
Over time, this meaning evolved. In medieval and modern times, "album" came to refer to a book with blank pages where people could collect things. German scholars in the 16th century, for example, would keep "album amicorum" (albums of friends) where colleagues would sign their names. This led to the idea of a book for collecting signatures, drawings, or other souvenirs.
Later, this concept extended to other types of collections. When photography became popular, people started putting their pictures into photo albums, which were books specifically designed for that purpose.
Finally, in the early 20th century, the term made its way into the music world. Early musical recordings (like 78 rpm records) could only hold a few minutes of music. So, for longer pieces or collections of songs, multiple records would be packaged together in a bound book that looked very much like a photo album. This is how "album" came to refer to a collection of musical recordings released as a single unit, a meaning that continues today for LPs, CDs, and digital releases.
Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Eagle
Eagles are more often used as metaphors for strength, vision, or freedom. However, here are some phrases and idioms that use "eagle" or similar concepts:
"Eagle eyes": This describes someone with very sharp eyesight, like an eagle.
"Soar like an eagle": This idiom encourages someone to reach great heights, achieve ambitious goals, or experience freedom and independence.
"Have an eagle's eye for detail": Similar to "eagle eyes," this emphasizes someone's keen observation and ability to spot small things.
"Rise like an eagle": This idiom suggests overcoming challenges and achieving success, much like an eagle ascending into the sky.
Here's why there might not be many idioms directly using "eagle":
Eagles are symbols: Eagles are powerful symbols, so their meaning is often conveyed through metaphors and comparisons rather than direct idioms.
Less common in everyday speech: Compared to animals like dogs or cats, eagles are less common in everyday life, leading to fewer idioms directly related to them.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of album from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
